Warm, spicy, hot and filling drink. If you are a hummus lover, I guarantee you will be satisfied.

Last week we experienced Arctic freeze weather, we’ve had huge storm , schools were closed, roads were a mess and we were trapped inside for the day.

Kids had so much fun playing in the snow with their father next day, to be honest, I did not play and will not play in the snow everrrr, I do not know how do they do it!!!. My husband even makes snow balls with his bare hands!! can you believe this … really he wows me every time he does that.Seeing the snow gives me goosebumps, so I will not dare to play with it although I’ve heard it is so much fun… but may be in another life 🙂 or may be I will change my mind and play with my grandchildren one day.

We are expecting another storm tonight, I do not know if it is going to be as much as the one of last week or not but I have to finish this post quickly as I need to head out to the library and the grocery store :). Every time I hear about a snow storm coming I get the urge to stock on food!!! as if I will be trapped for the rest of my life hahaha. Do not judge me please, after all I grew up in a sunny, hot – most of the year-  and humid country and I’ve never seen snow my who life except in pictures.

Although I do not like being trapped in by  snow storms, when night falls, it is a whole different story, it gets so bright out there, I really like how it looks outside at night , and next day when the sky clears and the sun is shining over the snow  making it shine like diamonds everywhere .. really amazing and calming scene.

After playing in the snow, nothing is better than wrapping your fingers around a hot sup of coco or our favorite winter drink halabessa a.k.a hummus el shaam. I consider this drink a meal in itself, it is very filling and adjustable to your taste.

Halabessa is always served with spices out in another plate, so it is made plain and you adjust it to your taste. Spices are salt, chilli powder, cumin powder and limes. I like putting a lot of chilli powder in my cup to make it even more warming, and with a hint of cumin plus a generous squeeze of lime, this makes a perfect snack – or dare I say sometimes lunch- for me.

So let’s see how to make this delicious winter drink, and I hope you’ve been behaving this year so Santa can drop a huge bag of chickpeas at your doorstep this Christmas ^.~

Halabessa – spicy hummus drink

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Arabic, Egyptian

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

soaking time: 3 hours

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 151.3kcal

Author: Amira

A winter drink that is going to warm and fill you up as well.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup of dry chickpeas Note1
• 1 medium tomato- quartered.
• 1 medium yellow onion- quartered.
• 2 garlic cloves – whole.
• 1/2 cup tomato sauce or 2 Tbs tomato paste.
• 1 teaspoon pink salt. Use regular if you do not have pink salt.

Spices to serve with

• Salt ground cumin, chili powder and limes.

Instructions

• Wash chickpeas and soak in water at least for 3 hours, changing the water once or twice.
• Drain the water then put the chickpeas into a pot, cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to medium, and simmer the chickpeas for 20 minutes, skimming the foam every now and then.
• Add onion, tomato, garlic and tomato sauce and salt then keep simmering the chickpeas until it is done, will take about an hour.
• Serve hot with spices, lemon wedges on the side, Note2

Notes

Note1: I always like to use the dry in this recipe as the chickpeas need to cook with the onion and garlic to get some of the flavors.

 Note2: Everyone should adjust the spices according to their taste.

Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.

Nutrition

Calories: 151.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 26.3g | Protein: 7.9g | Fat: 2.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Sodium: 162.7mg | Potassium: 373.9mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5.7g

Sign up and learn more about Mediterranean flavors